What is 3D Printer?

3D printers are in our lives for 20 years. However, it has reached the masses these days. 3D printers or 3D printer technologies have already changed purchasing and manufacturing processes. Let’s look at the development process of 3D printing, how it works and how it shapes the future. It is relatively a new technology! The 3D printer is the technology of manufacturing three dimensional solid parts from a digital model. 3D printers which came out in the early 1980s became the one the most popular trend for the new industrial revolution.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid parts from a digital file of a 3D model.

What is Additive Manufacturing?

Additive manufacturing is a process that builds three dimensional solid parts from a 3D CAD data by adding material as layer upon layer. Complex geometries can be manufactured by additive manufacturing without assembly needs.

3D Printing Technologies

What is Rapid Part?

Do you want to manufacture a part that you need urgently? Are the designs and dimensions of the parts on the market not suitable? Is it a part that hasn’t manufactured before? Let’s suppose that you need a manifold, a perfume bottle or impeller; you don’t have any time and don’t want to incur an expense of molds. At this point, ‘’Rapid Part’’ is the solution for you. Part needs can be satisfied with the high quality and low cost in a short time.

Benefits of 3D Printing

Design Freedom

Rapid Manufacturing

Low Cost

Customization

Simplified Work-Flow

3D Printing Process

3D Part Design

The first step of the 3D printing process is creating a digital model. CAD (Computer Aided Design) software is used to design. Besides, 3D scanning can be made to get 3D model data for the reverse engineering application.

Creating STL Files

CAD files should be transformed into STL files. Otherwise, 3D printers cannot use the CAD data. STL file defines the surface of the model for the 3D printing and makes simpler the complex CAD model. Most of the CAD software can be transformed into the STL format. OBJ and 3DP files can be accepted. However, these files are less commonly-used.

3D Printing

There are several 3D printing technologies such as FDM, Polyjet, SLS and DMLS. Manufacturing technology is determined according to the desired material and model.

Removing the Part

Removing the 3D printed part from the manufacturing platform is enough for some 3D printing technologies. However, some of them may require a technical process for removing. Support materials can be removed by hand or special solution.

Post-Processing

Post-processing needs change according to the 3D printing technology which is used for the manufacturing. Even though some 3D printed parts can be used directly, some 3D printed parts need post-processing applications to transform the final shape. Sandpapering, painting and polishing can be applied for different needs on parts.

3D Printing Techniques

There are 4 different 3D printing techniques which dominate the 3D printer world. Different parts can be manufactured by these techniques.

3D Printer Technologies

Materials

3D Printer Applications

What is Material Extrusion?

Material Extrusion is an additive manufacturing method that melted material pours from a nozzle layer by layer. It commercialized in 1991.

3D Printing Process

3D printers which make material extrusion pour thermoplastic material on a manufacturing table with a nozzle which moves on XY plane. After one layer is completed, the manufacturing table moves downward, another layer extrudes and sticks to the previous layer.

3D Printer Technologies

Materials

3D Printer Applications

What is Powder Bed Fusion?

Powder Bed Fusion is an additive manufacturing method that powder material in manufacturing area combines with thermal energy. It commercialized in 1992.

3D Printing Process

Powder material is solidified with thermal energy as layers. Unused powder material acts as support material for polymers. Additional support structures are required for the metals to fasten the parts on the plate.